Have you sent money to a fraudster and want to get it back? A payment recall and chargeback are two tools that can help you - but time plays a crucial role.
What Is a Payment Recall
A payment recall (reversal of a payment) is a process in which your bank contacts the recipient’s bank and requests the return of the transferred funds. It is not your automatic right - the recipient’s bank cooperates voluntarily.
Key information:
- A recall is possible for bank transfers (SEPA, SWIFT, domestic transfer)
- Success depends on whether the money has not yet left the recipient’s account
- The recipient’s bank may freeze the funds pending clarification of the situation
- The process typically takes 3-10 business days
What Is a Chargeback
A chargeback (transaction reversal) is a process available for card transactions (Visa, Mastercard). Unlike a recall, a chargeback is a standardised process with clear rules.
Differences between recall and chargeback:
| Payment recall | Chargeback | |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction type | Bank transfer | Card payment |
| Time limit | Hours (the sooner, the better) | Up to 120 days |
| Legal entitlement | No (voluntary cooperation) | Yes (Visa/MC rules) |
| Success rate | 30-70% (depends on speed) | 50-80% |
| Costs | The bank may charge a fee | Usually free of charge |
Time Window - How Much Time You Have
Bank transfer (domestic):
- 0-4 hours: Highest chance of a recall - the money may not yet have reached the recipient’s account
- 4-24 hours: Chances decrease - fraudsters move the money quickly
- 24+ hours: Minimal chance of a recall, but still worth attempting
Bank transfer (SWIFT/international):
- 0-24 hours: International transfers take longer, so the window is wider
- 1-2 business days: Still a realistic chance if the money is held at a correspondent bank
Card payment:
- Up to 120 days from the transaction to file a chargeback
- The sooner you file, the faster the process
How to Request a Recall from the Bank - Step by Step
1. Call the helpline (immediately)
- Most banks have a 24/7 helpline for reporting fraud
- State clearly: “I have been the victim of fraud, I am requesting a payment recall”
- Provide: the amount, the date, the recipient’s account number
2. Send a written request
After the telephone call, send a written request (email or data box):
- Your account number
- Precise identification of the transaction (amount, date, reference number)
- Reason for the request - “unauthorised/fraudulent transaction”
- Description of the circumstances of the fraud
- Attachments - any evidence of the fraud
3. Document everything
- Note down the call reference number and operator’s name
- Save the confirmation of sending the written request
- Ask the bank for written confirmation of receipt of the request
When the Bank Refuses and Why
The bank may refuse a recall for several reasons:
- The money is no longer in the recipient’s account - the fraudsters have moved it
- The recipient’s bank refused to cooperate - it has no legal obligation to comply
- The request was made too late - too long a period has elapsed
- The client authorised the transaction - the bank argues that you confirmed the transfer yourself
Escalation If the Bank Refuses
1. Written complaint
File a formal complaint citing:
- Zakon o platebnim styku (Czech Payment Services Act, Act No. 370/2017 Coll.)
- The CJEU ruling C-70/25 (for phishing) - see our article on the D+1 rule
- The terms of your contract with the bank
2. Financial Arbiter of the Czech Republic
- Free out-of-court dispute resolution with banks
- The decision is legally binding
- Website: finarbitr.cz
3. CNB - Czech National Bank
- The supervisory authority over banks
- File a complaint about a breach of the bank’s obligations
- The CNB may impose remedial measures
4. Court route
A civil action against the bank for breach of contract or against the fraudster for damages. We recommend consulting a lawyer specialising in litigation.
Conclusion
Payment recall and chargeback are effective tools, but the key is speed. The sooner you act, the higher the chance of recovering your money.
If you need help communicating with the bank or with legal proceedings, contact us. We specialise in helping fraud victims and the initial consultation is free of charge.